Nona’s Downtown Market in Owensboro used to be located downtown, on Second St. It was a beautiful building, but I actually like the new location (on Hill St. – across from Jimmy John’s) even better. Tooling around downtown Owensboro can sometimes prove to be a headache. With the one-way streets, traffic, and the fact that something is always going on – I find that I really only go downtown if I NEED something.

The location on Hill St. is more convenient and… like I said… it’s right by Jimmy John’s! I also don’t hate the fact that it’s close to Starbucks. And the library.

Great spot!

As you can see from the pictures here, Nona’s still has the same “can’t find anywhere else” products she’s famous for. Kentucky gifts, food, crafts, and more. You could do A LOT of Christmas shopping in Nona’s – but, if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself buying two of everything, one for them and one for you-know-you.

I hope you’ll go by and visit as soon as possible (why not today??!!). They’re uncommonly friendly and, I guarantee, you’ll find at least three things you’ll want to buy on the spot – that’s usually what I average each trip.

If (like me) you have to eat gluten free, ask them about their gluten free foods. They’ll let you know when to expect what.

Follow Nona’s on Facebook to stay up to date on the fresh delicacies they have from day to day. Nona’s is also on Instagram – Simply search for “Nona’s Downtown Market Owensboro.”

If you eat gluten free (whether it’s a decision your brain OR your body made), you’ll find a lot of gluten free food reviews on my food blog. There are, of course, also a ton of gluten free recipes.

When it comes to choosing a restaurant for lunch or dinner in Owensboro, it’s my experience that you cannot go wrong with Old Hickory Bar-B-Que. When I say experience, I mean countless (literally) visits without a single disappointment.

How many restaurants can you say that about?

We like to call ourselves the Bar-B-Que Capital of the World here in Owensboro, so our BBQ had better be good! Thanks to Old Hickory, Moonlite, and Ole South… it’s not just good, it’s excellent.

I try not to fall into the old trap of choosing one of these three restaurants over the others because, quite frankly, I love having three way above par Barbecue restaurants in my city. Each one is fantastic – we tend to eat at Old Hickory more often than the other two, but I have nothing but great things to say about any of the three.

When I had to stop eating gluten/wheat, one of the first things I thought about was my restaurant reviews. I knew there’d be certain places I could no longer visit (Fazoli’s, Panera Bread, Feta’s, Kentucky State Park restaurants…) but I’ve been thrilled that a lot of my old favorites (before having to give up gluten) are now my new favorites (after having to give up gluten). Olive Garden, Mi Ranchito, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Old Hickory, Willow Pond (Aurora), Catfish Kitchen (Kentucky Lake), TGIFriday’s.. most restaurants have plenty of gluten free options and I’m over the moon grateful.

A Few of the Delicious Sides at Old Hickory

On our recent trip to Old Hickory, I forgot to say, “No bread..” so a few halves came on my plate. Normally I simply state that I don’t want any – I guess I was just too excited to be there this time and forgot.

The pulled pork bar-b-que, mutton, chicken, and ham are all more delicious than they have a right to be at Old Hickory. Their Sweet Heat barbecue sauce makes everything EVEN better. It’s so good I could drink it. Something else that sets Old Hickory apart from a lot of Bar-B-Que restaurants in Kentucky (or anywhere else, for that matter) is the sides. Some restaurants put so much energy into the meat they leave the sides to fend for themselves – but Old Hickory’s sides are phenomenal. Again and again and again.

As I’m sure I’ve said before, the only drawback to going to Old Hickory is the dilemma of trying to choose your meat and your sides – they’re all so ridiculously delicious, you want everything on the menu! If you happen to go with your spouse, you could always just do what we do – order different things and enjoy it all!

We’ve been working this system for a lot of years and I love it as much as I do sweet tea.

Old Hickory is located at 338 Washington Ave – just off Frederica St. You really don’t even need a GPS… your nose will let you know when you’re close!

Shocked. I’m BEYOND shocked that I haven’t written about one of my favorite places to eat lunch in my hometown – Salsarita’s. I loved it before I had to start eating gluten free and I think I love it even more now that I DO have to eat gluten free. I love the fact that they offer so many delicious options.

I also love the fact that it’s one place my big crazy family can gather for lunch or dinner and know that we’ll all find something that’ll blow us away. Within our family, there are two of us who have to eat gluten free, a vegetarian, a couple of steak lovers, three chicken fanatics, and a few who seem to choose something different each time we go.

If you’ve ever been to a Chipotle or Mo’s Southwest Grill, Salsarita’s will remind you of them. It is, however, larger than a lot of Chipotle restaurants, with much more comfortable seating.

The main way Salsarita’s sets itself apart from the rest is in the choices it offers. Not only can you have Bowls, Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, Salads, or Nachos – the choice of meats is better than other similiar restaurants: Chicken, Pork, Ground Beef, Steak, or Shrimp.

{Review Continued Below…}

You have a large selections of toppings and fillings as well. Pico de Gallo (“Salsa”), onions, cheese, cilantro, black olives, rice, beans, etc… etc… etc… You’ll definitley want an order of chips and queso – I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful they are.

All of the food is out of this world delicious each and every single time. Every single bite is always so fresh and scrumptious – it’s little wonder it’s one of our favorite places to eat.

{Continued Below the Queso and Chips!}

Unless you live in Owensboro, you might not understand the following compliment, so I’ll explain. Some of the best places to eat in town have parking that ranges from less than desirable to flat-out horrible: Wasabi Express (Frederica Location), Mi Ranchito (West Parrish), Jimmy John’s (Frederica), Feta Pizza (Downtown)… Salsarita’s gets another point from us simply because they have a big parking lot!

Can you tell I hate tricky parking???

Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina is located at 3500 Villa Point (Out Highway 54, on the right, just past Kohl’s).

See Salsarita’s Website for their menu and gluten free and vegetarian options. The food and friendly people will blow you away.

The picture of the day shows just one of the reasons I love Mellow Mushroom so much…. notice the sign, “Coming Shroom.” Yeah, they’re witty like that.

Combine a great personality with excellent food, throw in the fact that they’re cool enough to offer gluten free pizza, AND put them in a beautiful old building in downtown Owensboro with endless charm and ambiance and you have a recipe for certain success.

I can’t wait to walk through those doors!

The Owensboro Mellow Mushroom will be at 101 West Second Street. I’ll let you know as soon as they open!

Before Wasabi Express, I had never even considered ordering sushi. I’m not sure why but I never thought I’d like it. Fast forward to today… I could, honestly, eat sushi every single day of my life – IF it came from Wasabi Express.

There are actually two Wasabi Express restaurants in Owensboro now. The one I always go to is on Southtown (636 Southtown Blvd, right off of Frederica, near Wal-Mart). The new one is on Highway 54. I haven’t been to the new one, yet, but I hear that it’s just as excellent as the original.

I’m not sure how we got lucky enough to have two wonderful sushi restaurants in Owensboro, but I’m not going to question it, I’m just going to enjoy it. Often.

Wasabi Express also has great rice, and both their chicken soup and house salad are absolute legends. The menu also includes hibachi, appetizers, edamame, LOTS of sushi, and more.

Welcome to Genuine Kentucky!

Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

We’re proud Kentuckians and the non-profit effort you see before you is a labor of love.

Follow Genuine Kentucky on Twitter!

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Blogs Database

If you have a Kentucky Blog - or you're simply a Kentuckian who blogs! - you might want to consider adding your blog to a new KY Blogs Database. It's run by "one of us," as in a fellow Kentuckian! Click the link to check it out. I've added Genuine Kentucky and will be adding my other blogs as well.

Kentucky Pictures

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.